Unpredictability versus consistency

Over the past week, the Pakistan team has shown the world why they are so necessary for the health of the game. They are a talented, unpredictable side that has a fan base in many cricket-playing countries.

Over the past week, the Pakistan team has shown the world why they are so necessary for the health of the game. They are a talented, unpredictable side that has a fan base in many cricket-playing countries. It’s amazing that a side that looked so rusty in the initial stages turned it on just when it mattered. The win against South Africa was fashioned by the bowlers, and once again Umar Gul and the spinners, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, bowled exceptionally.

Looking ahead to the final, Sri Lanka has got a measure of Pakistan’s bowlers.

They have played in Pakistan recently, and have faced enough of Afridi, Gul and Ajmal. The thing about T20 cricket is that the more you get to see of a bowler, the better you are able to line him up and hit him. There is a similarity in the success of Sri Lanka and Pakistan because both have relied on the variety in their bowling. But, Sri Lanka scores over Pakistan by having greater depth in their batting.

For me, Gul bowling has been the standout performance. Afridi too seems to have worked hard on his bowling, and against South Africa his batting came good as well. The other plus was the captaincy of Younis Khan.